Lysacek wins world title

Associated Press

Published 4:00 am, Friday, March 27, 2009

Hometown boy makes good, the kind of story Hollywood loves.

A short skate from the movie capital, Evan Lysacek, an Illinois native now ensconced in Los Angeles, became the first American in 13 years to win the World Figure Skating Championship. He did it thanks to a spectacular free skate Thursday night.

"Well, tonight I wasn't thinking about winning, I wasn't even thinking about medaling," Lysacek said. "I just wanted to skate well for my hometown crowd of L.A."

Lysacek became the first U.S. skater since Todd Eldredge in 1996 to take the world crown. He previously won bronze medals in 2005 and 2006 and was fourth at the 2006 Olympics.

Canada's Patrick Chan took the silver and 2007 world winner Brian Joubert of France, the short program leader, slipped to third.

ELSEWHERE

Cal swimmer sets record

Cal's Nathan Adrian set an American record of 18:71 in the 50 freestyle at the NCAA Championships in College Station, Texas. He broke the record he set March 5.

Texas led in team standings with 171 points and was followed by Auburn (141), Stanford (130), Florida (107) and Cal (105).

GAMBLING: State officials may have to run through the NCAA and National Football League before they can score additional revenue for Delaware through a sports betting lottery.

NCAA officials are threatening to ban all playoff games in Delaware if the state legalizes sports betting, and NFL representatives made their opposition known in a meeting with Markell on Thursday.

The proposed sports betting lottery is expected to generate about $55 million for the cash-strapped state in its first year if it clears the General Assembly.

TENNIS: Serena Williams has been voted the WTA Tour player of the year for the second time. Williams also received the award for 2002. She won the U.S. Open in September and ended last year ranked No. 1.

-- Kim Clijsters, 25, will return to pro tennis in August after two years in retirement, saying she has regained the competitive hunger that led to the No. 1 ranking.

SOCCER: David Beckham could pass Bobby Moore on Saturday for the most appearances for a non-goalkeeper on England's national team.

If the 33-year-old midfielder plays in the exhibition against Slovakia at Wembley Stadium, it would be his 109th international appearance. That would be one more than the 1966 World Cup-winning captain.